11. Them: Here Comes the Night
Them, led by Van Morrison, were from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and specialized in a gritty, hard r&b perhaps best epitomized by their cover of Big Joe Williams' "Baby Please Don't Go", which never charted in America, but has become well-known after many appearances in movies. They influenced thousands of rock bands with "Gloria", a three-chord workout originally released as a B-side in 1965; it would be covered by The Shadows Of Knight, The Doors, and Patti Smith, among countless others. "Here Comes The Night", a Bert Berns original (actually released by Lulu before Them), was their biggest American hit, peaking at #24 in 1965; somewhat atypical of the band's best material, it's a lightweight but tuneful pop number, highlighted by its impassioned chorus and a nice guitar lead. Morrison quit the band in 1966, and embarked on a long-lived and critically respected solo career; his 1968 album Astral Weeks, and its 1970 follow-up Moondance remain among the essential albums of the late 60's. Essential to the mid-60's is Them's 1965 debut, Them (in America) and Angry Young Them (in England).
12. The Searchers: Needles And Pins
The Searchers hailed from Liverpool, and were one of the Beatles' chief competitors in the early days, before either band had been discovered. Their history dates back to 1957, when singer/guitarist John McNally formed the first version of the group. By 1959, the nucleus of McNally, singer/guitarist Michael Pender, and singer/guitarist Tony Jackson was in place; Jackson eventually took up bass, while drummer/singer Chris Curtis rounded out the lineup (for a couple of years the band was a quintet, called Johnny Sandon & the Searchers). The band was signed to Pye in 1963, and hit #1 with their first single, a cover of the Drifters' "Sweets for My Sweet". "Don't Throw Your Love Away" and "Needles And Pins" were their biggest American hits, both making the top-20 in 1964; altogether, the band would reach the U.S. top-40 six times through 1965. "Needles And Pins" is a chiming piece of proto-folk-rock written by none other than Sonny Bono; The Ramones covered it in 1977. The band started to unravel as early as 1964, when Tony Jackson left and was replaced by Frank Allen; Chris Curtis split in 1966. Although their hits began to dry up after 1966, the band continued working and recording through 1985, when a rift caused Pender and McNally to split up; both have led their own versions of the Searchers on the oldies circuit.
Article comments
1 - uao
I also salute: Dusty Springfield, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas, The Creation, The Honeycombs, The Walker Brothers, Manfred Mann, Cilla Black, The Tremeloes, et. al.
I thought the article was already waaay too long. I'll add 'em on my blog's entry when I get time.
2 - The Proprietor
The opening chord of "A Hard Day's Night" still inspires much discussion and contention amongst guitarists and Beatles fans. One researcher actually put the chord through a Fourier transform to discover the actual components of the chord (which as any 12-string Rickenbacker owner will tell you, is not played with just that guitar). In all likelihood the chord was played simultaneously by Harrison and Lennon on guitar simultaneously (Lennon is generally considered to have used his Gibson J-160E on this track, not his Rickenbacker 325), McCartney playing a bass note on the Hofner, and George Martin playing a dissonant piano chord.
3 - uao
Your knowledge of musical equipment and guitar lore continues to astound me, Proprietor.
Fascinating analysis; it's always an education.
4 - Matt
Both the post and the Proprietor's add-on are good stuff. Thanks guys!
5 - ac/dc#1
i know that zepplin came about five years after the invasion, but they are the best rock band in the world besides the beatles and the stones. give them the credit that they deserve!!!
6 - ac/dc#1
even though led zeppelin came after the invision hey are still a good band. please include them in the blog!